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HE´S FINE & CLASSY
*with Jonathon Luke Baker
written + interview CHIDOZIE OBASI
It’s often hard to admit, but generally, the Italians do it better. However, one’s gotta admire the Brits for their wild romanticism and ingrained sense of cool. They’ve got the London look on lock for sure and they’re proud to often be pioneering the ‘wilder the better’ attitude, but their Italian and French counterparts tend to fall into a more poised category. On fashion terms, Brits do creative ramshackles, Italians do superfine spectacles.
Jonathon Luke Baker wears a total look by LORO PIANA
It’s only fitting then that in this shoot, Jonathon Luke Baker — a multihyphenate based in East London — mixes his charisma and attitude with a pared-back style that veers on the edge of the familiar, with dashes of wear-anywhere coolness. If you’re not already impressed, bear in mind Baker has worked with some of the world’s most talented artists and culturally exciting figures such as Sir Matthew Bourne, Sir Bob Cohen, Arlene Phillips DBE, Wayne McGregor CBE and Sam Smith, to name a few.
Not an art fan? Shame on you. Or, better, brush up on your contemporaries through Baker’s list. In this story, fashion highlights to look out for include Valentino, Loro Piana, and Louis Vuitton. And lastly, brace yourself: LE MILE’s Fashion Director grabbed five with the artist to chat all-things career, mental health and future hopes. You’ve probably heard it here first.
Jonathon Luke Baker wears a total look by VALENTINO
Jonathon Luke Baker wears a blazer by DIOR MEN, a patterned shirt by RANDOM IDENTITIES by Stefano Pilati, a beige shirt by FENDI, a sweater by EXTREME CASHMERE, pants by QUARTO ATTO, a bag by FERRAGAMO, and shoes by PREMIATA
Chidozie Obasi
First things first: could you introduce yourself to us?
Jonathon Luke Baker
I’m Jonathon Luke Baker, a dancer and movement director based in East London. I’ve spent the past ten years performing in contemporary works, but more recently I’ve transitioned into the more commercial side of dance. When I’m not working, you’ll probably find me thrifting around Brick Lane or trying my hand at clay sculpting.
How has the past year been for you?
It’s been a year of growth. I’ve experienced the loss of loved ones, which has been a difficult but deeply human reminder to stay grateful and cherish the beauty of connection. Professionally, it’s been a blessing — I’ve been touring across Europe and the U.S. with Jessie Ware, who I adore, and I’ve continued my relationship with Jean Paul Gaultier, performing in his Fashion Freak Show in Tokyo. Creatively, it’s been a year of refinement — understanding more about my own movement language and how I like to explore the body’s potential for expression.
What’s your earliest memory of dance?
Throwing my body around to Basement Jaxx! I’ve been twirling for as long as I could walk, but my earliest memory is forcing my family to watch me, my older brother, and my cousin perform our partially choreographed, mostly improvised, but fully committed dance shows to Basement Jaxx.
When did you realise that you wanted to make this craft a professional career?
Very early on — dance was all I ever wanted to do. The idea of growing up and actually getting paid to move my body to music was the ultimate dream. Of course, I had no real idea what the job would entail, nor did I imagine it would take me around the world. I’m grateful to have parents who had blind faith in me pursuing a path they also knew nothing about, yet supported me completely.
What would you say have been the best moments of your path thus far?
One of the most meaningful moments in my journey so far has been building a connection to Francis Menuge, Jean Paul Gaultier’s late partner, whom I portray in Jean Paul Gaultier’s Fashion Freak Show. Francis was not only Gaultier’s lover but also his creative partner — together they built the brand and presented the very first Jean Paul Gaultier collection. In the show, I even wear the original suit Francis wore in that debut in 1976. There’s a solo that depicts his death from AIDS-related complications, exploring the persistence of the disease as it consumes the body and the spirit’s struggle to keep fighting. Although my connection to him is ultimately parasocial, I feel a deep sense of care and responsibility to honour his life and death with authenticity and respect.
And how about the most challenging ones?
The hardest part of this path is maintaining closeness with my life and relationships at home. I’ve spent most of the last few years touring or on location, and I can get completely absorbed by the project I’m working on. It’s something I’m working on actively: being more intentional about staying connected to the people I love. It also makes romantic relationships tricky. On the surface, the lifestyle can look beautiful and cinematic, but in practice it can make it really difficult to build long-term intimacy.
Jonathon Luke Baker wears a sweater by PAUL SMITH, a vest by CANALI, a shirt by TOMMY HILFIGER, underwear by DSQUARED2, and shorts by DSQUARED2
After stints in ballet, you pivoted to a more commercial route… Do you feel nostalgic about your ballet background?
I love ballet deeply, but it feels like another lifetime. As I grew into myself, I realised the way ballet often tells stories didn’t align with the kind of emotional language I wanted to express. The discipline required to pursue ballet at a high level didn’t match the way I like my life and art to breathe and move. Getting to be in the audience to watch loved ones dancing leading roles at the Royal Opera House fills me with so much pride — it’s a joy to appreciate the art form intimately without needing to live inside it anymore.
Is there anything you’d do differently? Do you feel you’re where you wanted to be?
My biggest real regret is not taking GCSE French! My teacher discouraged me because she thought I’d lower her average grade, which still makes me laugh. Now, after spending so much of my career in Paris and performing at Folies Bergere in a Circus Erotica show called Fantasma, I wish I’d cared less about her statistics. I’ve just started learning again on Duolingo, so redemption is happening slowly! My career has never followed the path I imagined, but it has led me to experience my younger self couldn’t have dreamed of. Tomorrow I land in New York to perform Quadrophenia on Broadway with Pete Townshend and Ansel Elgort. That was never on any five-year plan. But I’ve learned that the most beautiful parts of this career are often the detours.
Have you always maintained stable mental health, or were there doubts and difficult times?
I’ve definitely had low periods. I work mostly in dance and fashion and both are visual worlds — you spend so much time in front of a mirror or surrounded by models who are impossibly beautiful. It’s very easy to slip into comparison. And comparison really is the thief of joy, though she has a way of feeling seductive. Over time, I’ve learned to focus on what I uniquely bring to the room — the perspective, the expression, the humanity — rather than trying to match or mirror what someone else is.
In a world shaped by downturns and social unrest, how do you see the future of the arts?
I think creativity becomes even more vital in times of uncertainty. Art helps us feel less alone, and sometimes it allows us to escape long enough to breathe. In a changing world of social tension, I hope the arts can continue to bring people back to each other — to remind us that every person deserves to be valued, especially those who are pushed to the margins because of their identities.
Jonathon Luke Baker wears a coat by FENDI, a jacket by LOUIS VUITTON, a cardigan by BRIONI, a shirt by ZEGNA, a shirt by ISSEY MIYAKE, pants by ANDREADAMO, and shoes by FABI
Jonathon Luke Baker wears a vest by DSQUARED2, shorts by LOUIS VUITTON, and jeans by DIESEL
credits
all Images (c) LE MILE /
Cosimo Buccolieri
photography COSIMO BUCCOLIERI
fashion direction + styling CHIDOZIE OBASI
head of production JESSICA LOVATO
fashion coordination ALBERTO MICHISANTI + EDWARD PUSCA
make up DIANA DJURDJEVSKI via STUDIO REPOSSI
hair DAVIDE NUCARA
film SARA FINEZZO
model JONATHON LUKE BAKER
photo assistant ANTONIO CROTTI
production assistant LORIS VOTTERO
fashion assistance PASQUALE CORLETO + JORDAN MAX BAGLIONI + ALESSANDRO GIANESIN + BRUNA TOGNINI + AMELIA ZACCAGNI + CHARISSE ORDINARIA + GIOELE ROSANO + THEA OLOFSSON ROWCLIFFE